Matt McGovern
Title: LINCS COVID-19 Epidemiologist / Data Manager
Department: Prevention
Extension: 109
What are your primary duties? I am working on a collaborative project between Prevention Is Key and the Morris County Division of Public Health as the LINCS COVID-19 Epidemiologist/Data Manager for Morris County, New Jersey. Some of my duties include the following:
- I collect and analyze Morris County COVID-19 cases from a demographic perspective (looking at case numbers, age, sex, race and ethnicity, hospitalizations, admissions to the ICU, and deaths.
- I analyze trends for new cases weekly and monthly based on metrics such as percent positivity, percent change difference, incidence per 100,000, and level of community transmission based on CDC guidelines
- I keep track of the county contact tracer/case investigator workforce
- I collect and analyze county testing site data
- I update pertinent information regarding testing sites within and near the county
- I collect isolation/quarantine metrics
- I collect and analyze exposures/activities leading to COVID-19 infection
- I work on vaccination reports with a particular focus on evaluating areas for gaps in immunization administrations
- I have been trained in CDRSS, and CommCare, and utilize both systems (focus on COVID-19 cases and contacts)
- I have also been trained in NJIIS (state vaccination system)
- I collect and analyze vaccine breakthrough cases
- I run other COVID-19 reports and conduct other duties as needed
In addition, I assist with other substance misuse prevention projects and programs in the Morris County community.
Where did you go to school and what did you study?
The University of Scranton, B.S. in Community Health Education with a Concentration in Nutrition
Montclair State University, M.S. in Public Health (MPH) with a Concentration in Community Health Education
How many years have you worked in the field? 4 years
Why do you work in the field? I work in this field because I have a strong affinity to help others with substance misuse prevention throughout the lifespan, whether it be educating youth through interactive presentations about vaping or discussing with parents where and how their children hide their substance use products at home. I truly enjoy working in this field because I know every day, I am committed to helping the people of our county and our state through my work at Prevention Is Key.
Moreover, I want to help protect the health and wellbeing of our county community. I want to be able to make a difference by collecting and analyzing COVID-19 cases and vaccinations because it will better allow us as a COVID team at the county level to address this disease in Morris County.
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